Brassiere



March 3, 1959 A. M.BENsoN BRASSIERE Filed Sept. 30, 1957 A/V/VA AW. BEA/50N INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent O M 2,875,764 BRAssrERE Anna M. Benson, Sacramento, Calif. Application September 30,1957, Serial No. 687,194

2 Claims. `('Cl. 12B-477) This invention relates to `a brassiere, and has as its primary object the provision of antimproved brassiere including-a removable supporting plate or insert for the underside of iiaccidv or pendulous breasts. l

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a removable insert which will obviate the necessity for the use of permanently sewed in stays or bones, the insert being removable, in order that the article may be laundered, without the distortion or damage to permanently affixed stays or supports of a similar nature.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a lbrassiere of this character which incorporates a plate extending the full width of each breast, thus rendering a more comfortable article of wearing apparel than those incorporating individual stays, which press against restricted areas.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device incorporating an improved shoulder strap, which may be readily adjustable as desired with a minimum of effort and difficulty. t

Still other objects reside in the combinations of ele ments, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vassembled brassiere in normal position.

Figure 2 is Van enlarged sectional view taken substan tially along the line 2-2 of Figure l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view partially in section, and partially in elevation, showing certain constructional details.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure 4 as viewed in the direction indicated bythe arrows. i

Figure 6 is a further side elevational view, certain concealed portions being indicated in dotted lines, indieating additional constructional details.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 7 7 of Figure 6 as viewedvin the direction indicated bythe arrows, and

Figeur 8 is a plan view of one of the inserts adapted` for use with the brassiere of the instant invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the brassiere of the instant invention, generally indicated at 10 comprises a front portion formed in the conventional manner in two cups 11, each cup being comprised of an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 13. The lower portion is defined in conformity to the outline of the female breast, and the upper and lower portions are secured together by lines of stitching 14. The upper portions 12 may be comprised of any suitable material, and terminate in reverted edges 15 4forming peaks 16, at the n 2,875,764 Patented Mar. 3, 1959 ICC,

2 apex of each peak there is secured a loop of material 17, to whichv is secured'a hook 18.

The hook 18 is adapted to selectively engage one of a plurality of eyelets 19 and a brassiere strap 20, adapted to extend over the shoulders ofthe wearer, each eyelet being of the conventional metal form, and positioned between two layers of material 21 and 22, having re verted ends, and being,` secured together as by means of stitching 23, so that the strap if of double thickness, and the hook per se cannot contact the flesh of the wearer. By means of this hook and eye assembly, ready yadjustment of the length of the straps in accordance with `the figure of the individual may be: attained with a"rninimum of effort and difficulty. t e

The straps 20 are adapted to extend over the shoulders, and terminate in aelasticized portion 25, which is secured as by stitching 26 between the plies 21 and 22,." The lower portion of thetelasticized portion 25 is secured to a reverted portion 27, of the rear of the brassiere, as by means of stitching 28. There is thus afforded pliability as Well as adjust-ability in the brassiere itself. The rear portion of the brassiere 29 is provided at its opposite ends with suitable hook and eye fasteners 30, of conventional design, whereby the brassiere may be fastened in therear in the conventional manner.

It is to be noted that the rear portion of the brassiere is also provided with reverted and bound edges 31 at the rear portion thereof. The side portions of the brassiere 32 as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7 comprise an outer layer 33, having its upper and lower edges reverted as at 34 and 35, to encompass an inner semi-elastic layer 36, the assemblage being bound together by means of stitches 37 and 38 to provide a relative elasticity in the side portions of the device. El-astic inserts 39 as best shown in Figure 6 may be positioned between the side portion and the front portion of the brassiere.

Referring back now to the lower portions 13 of the brassiere, the feature which comprises the essential element of the present invention is the provision of an outer layer of material 40, which may be of any desired resilient or non-resilient material, an inner layer of material 41, forming a pocket. The inner layer 41 has an upwardly extending portion 42, a downwardly extending portion 43, which are adapted to overlap, preferably with the portion 43 overlying the portion 4l to form a secure pocket.

Within this pocket there is adapted to .be positioned a shield 45', of the conguration shown best in Figure 8, and which is of a desired suitable configuration, which may be particularly adapted to the shape of the breast of the wearer. This shield may be inserted in the pocket formed between the layers 40 and 41, and will afford complete uplift as may be necessary in the individual. It is here to be pointed out that the line of stitching 14 which separates the upper and lower portions of the brassiere is adapted to conform in general configuration to the shield 45, in order to aiford maximum support with minimum discomfort.

The lower portion of the brassiere below the pockets is adapted to be surrounded by a double band of fabric 48, for securing the same firmly in position, and the fabric may be provided with a medium elastic insert 49.

It will readily be seen that by lifting the edges of the members 43 and 42 as best shown in Figure 3, the insert 45 may be readily removed when it is desired to launder the brassiere, and that the same may be readily reinserted when the brassiere is ready for use.

Although the insert 45` has been described as being a plastic, it may be equally well of any other semi-rigid supporting material, such as for example cardboard, in

which case a new insert can be provided for each use, or siir'iilr material of suilcie'nt plibility vto "ffoid'comfoft, and of suicient rigidity to'provide adequate support for laccid or pendulous breasts.

' While in the foregoing this has been described particu- -larly in connection with such breasts, it may also'be found useful in the support of youthfully'formed breasts for'particular costumes or purposes.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that `there is herein provided a novel'brassie're, which accomplishes all of `theobjects of this invention, and others',`in`c1udin`g many `advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

AsV many embodiments `may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made `in `the embodiment herein before shown and described, itiis u to be understoodV that all matter herein is to be ,interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sensei What I claim is:

1. In la brassiere, the combination of a pair of frontal cups,`si de and complementaryrear portions, said rear portions'havng fastening means thereon for connecting the brassiere about the body of the wearer, shoulder straps extending' from 'the'front 'cups' to the rear portions of said brassiere, said cups comprising upper and lower portions, each lower portion being formed of a lower piece and an overlapping upper piece to form an openable pocket, and a panel of relatively rigid material removably positioned in each pocket, said panel being formed of plastic material and conforming in shape and size to the shape and size of said pocket to iit snugly therewithin.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein each cup is pro vided with an intermediate peaked portion and a hook at the extremity o f each peak, and each shoulder strap is provided at its front extremity with a plurality of eyelets, into one of which an associated hook may be selectively engaged.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED vSTATES PATENTS Hollar Nov. 17, 1936 2,400,499 Gerace May 21, 1946 

